Here’s What Dr. Ann Corwin, The Parenting Doctor has to say about Toilet Training:

Toddlers and the Toilet:Does it have to be this hard? Toilet Learning Basics to ease your mind. Pick the guidelines that WORK for your family.

1. Establish rituals like always washing hands after going to the bathroom and changing the diaper in the bathroom.

2. Remember your child’s developmental JOB at this age is to establish their own autonomy and figure out how “not to doubt” themselves! So…let toddlers TEACH themselves how to use the toilet with gentle guidance and be sure they don’t doubt that they learned to use the toilet themselves, not because their parents thought they “should” be able to accomplish this task now.

3. The most powerful learning tool for any task is “MODELING” by parents. Let them watch you! When you feel like you have to “go”, say it out loud. “I’m going to the bathroom” or “I have to go potty”.

4. Toilet learning usually involves regression. It can be scary!

5. One sign of readiness is when you change your child’s diaper and after a few hours check it and it’s still dry.

6. Establish a routine: Take your child to the bathroom 1st thing when they wake up, after a meal, and before bedtime as part of a ritual.

7. Don’t ever punish toddlers for not using the toilet, after all most parents wouldn’t dream of punishing their children if they didn’t sit-up or walk or talk by a certain age and this task is no different. Toddler’s sphincter muscles and central nervous systems have to be ready first, before toilet learning can take place.

Learning to use the toilet has more to do with Biology vs. Psychology.